Name: Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Ingredients: For the Buffalo Chicken: Chicken: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs, or a mix) – This is the star of the show, providing a lean protein base that shreds beautifully after slow cooking.; Buffalo Wing Sauce: 1 cup (e.g., Frank’s RedHot Wings Buffalo Sauce) – This is non-negotiable for authentic flavor! Choose your favorite brand and heat level.; Unsalted Butter: 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons), cut into pieces – Adds richness and helps create that classic silky buffalo sauce texture. You can substitute with ghee for a dairy-free option.; Ranch Seasoning Mix: 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch seasoning – This is a secret weapon! It adds a layer of herby, savory complexity that complements the buffalo sauce perfectly.; Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon – Enhances the savory depth.; Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon – Adds a subtle, sweet aromatic base.; Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tablespoon (optional, but recommended) – Adds a touch of umami and complexity.; Celery Salt: 1/2 teaspoon (optional) – A nod to the classic celery stick pairing, enhancing the overall flavor profile.; Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon, freshly ground; For Serving (Lettuce Wraps & Toppings): Lettuce Cups: 1-2 large heads of Butter lettuce, Bibb lettuce, or Romaine hearts, leaves separated, washed, and dried – These act as your fresh, crisp, low-carb “taco shells.”; Blue Cheese Crumbles: 1/2 cup (optional, for garnish) – The classic pairing for buffalo flavor, adding a tangy, salty bite.; Ranch Dressing or Blue Cheese Dressing: For drizzling – Provides a creamy, cooling counterpoint to the spicy chicken.; Shredded Carrots: 1/2 cup (for garnish) – Adds a pop of color, sweetness, and crunch.; Celery Sticks: Finely diced or julienned, 2-3 ribs (for garnish or mixing in) – More crunch and that traditional buffalo wing experience.; Green Onions or Chives: Thinly sliced (for garnish) – Adds a fresh, mild oniony bite.; Optional Additional Toppings: Sliced avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, pickled jalapeños, a sprinkle of paprika.

Ingredients

For the Buffalo Chicken:
- Chicken: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs, or a mix) – This is the star of the show, providing a lean protein base that shreds beautifully after slow cooking.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: 1 cup (e.g., Frank’s RedHot Wings Buffalo Sauce) – This is non-negotiable for authentic flavor! Choose your favorite brand and heat level.
- Unsalted Butter: 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons), cut into pieces – Adds richness and helps create that classic silky buffalo sauce texture. You can substitute with ghee for a dairy-free option.
- Ranch Seasoning Mix: 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch seasoning – This is a secret weapon! It adds a layer of herby, savory complexity that complements the buffalo sauce perfectly.
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon – Enhances the savory depth.
- Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon – Adds a subtle, sweet aromatic base.
- Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tablespoon (optional, but recommended) – Adds a touch of umami and complexity.
- Celery Salt: 1/2 teaspoon (optional) – A nod to the classic celery stick pairing, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon, freshly ground

For Serving (Lettuce Wraps & Toppings):
- Lettuce Cups: 1-2 large heads of Butter lettuce, Bibb lettuce, or Romaine hearts, leaves separated, washed, and dried – These act as your fresh, crisp, low-carb “taco shells.”
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: 1/2 cup (optional, for garnish) – The classic pairing for buffalo flavor, adding a tangy, salty bite.
- Ranch Dressing or Blue Cheese Dressing: For drizzling – Provides a creamy, cooling counterpoint to the spicy chicken.
- Shredded Carrots: 1/2 cup (for garnish) – Adds a pop of color, sweetness, and crunch.
- Celery Sticks: Finely diced or julienned, 2-3 ribs (for garnish or mixing in) – More crunch and that traditional buffalo wing experience.
- Green Onions or Chives: Thinly sliced (for garnish) – Adds a fresh, mild oniony bite.
- Optional Additional Toppings: Sliced avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, pickled jalapeños, a sprinkle of paprika.

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts (or thighs) dry with paper towels. This helps them absorb the flavors better. Place the chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker insert. A 4-quart or 6-quart slow cooker works perfectly for this amount.

Mix the Sauce Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the buffalo wing sauce, dry ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce (if using), celery salt (if using), and black pepper.

Combine with Chicken: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Try to coat all sides of the chicken.

Add Butter: Dot the pieces of butter on top of the chicken and sauce. As the butter melts, it will enrich the sauce and help keep the chicken moist.

Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be incredibly tender and easily shredded. Cooking times can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model and the thickness of your chicken breasts. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).

Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and place them on a clean cutting board or in a large bowl. Using two forks, shred the chicken. It should pull apart very easily.

Return to Sauce & Marinate: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it well to coat thoroughly with the delicious buffalo sauce remaining in the pot. If the sauce seems a little thin, you can leave the lid slightly ajar and cook on HIGH for another 15-30 minutes to allow it to thicken slightly, or remove some of the excess liquid. For the best flavor, let the shredded chicken sit in the sauce on the “keep warm” setting for at least 15-20 minutes to absorb all the flavors.

Prepare Lettuce Cups & Toppings: While the chicken is marinating in the sauce, wash and dry your lettuce leaves carefully. Arrange them on a platter. Prepare all your desired toppings – crumble the blue cheese, shred the carrots, dice the celery, and slice the green onions.

Assemble and Serve: To serve, spoon a generous amount of the warm shredded buffalo chicken into each lettuce cup. Top with your favorite garnishes like blue cheese crumbles, a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing, shredded carrots, and diced celery. Enjoy immediately!

Nutrition

Serving Size: One Normal Portion
Calories: 300-380